Tracker
by Mark Knopfler
  • Record Label: Verve
  • Release Date: Mar 17, 2015
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. Boston Globe
    Mar 17, 2015
    80
    He does what he does best, delivering finely wrought, elegantly arranged songs of subtle depth and rich musicality, many extending past five minutes without overstaying their welcome.
  2. American Songwriter
    Mar 17, 2015
    80
    Touches of Celtic, jazz, country and folk, but seldom rock, inform these lovely tunes that take their time as if on a leisurely stroll.
  3. Magnet
    Mar 12, 2015
    80
    Knopfler inhabits his tunes with an earnest intensity, a slight melancholy and an age-old wisdom. [No. 118, p.57]
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  5. Uncut
    Mar 12, 2015
    80
    His eighth solo album will no doubt satisfy dedicated fans, but for those lulled into inattentiveness somewhere along the way, Tracker also makes an excellent case for re-engagement. [Apr 2015, p.70]
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  6. AllMusic
    Mar 23, 2015
    70
    This skillful interweaving of Knopfler's personal past helps give Tracker a nicely gentle resonance.
  7. Rolling Stone
    Mar 17, 2015
    70
    Knopfler's quicksilver guitar is understated, and he delivers stories of stoic ache like an old watchmaker on a pub stool--quietly riveting.
  8. Classic Rock Magazine
    Mar 12, 2015
    70
    Knopfler's slide into the cosy vale of rootsy retro is clearly irreversible, but he certainly makes trad a luxurious place to get pampered for an hour. [Apr 2015, p.97]
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  9. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 12, 2015
    70
    Tracker is seamless in both embracing technology and adapting it; recreating the intimacy of personal experiences within the confines of an uncluttered, contemporary folk backdrop.
  10. Q Magazine
    Apr 1, 2015
    60
    His low-key, unhurried approach is unchanged. [May 2015, p.107]
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  11. Mojo
    Mar 19, 2015
    60
    Knopfler retains his latter-years Celty-folk musical tone, with that measured guitar flicking in a sun-through-misty-woods way. This doesn't make for memorably distinctive songs, but his storytelling sharpens almost every track. [Apr 2015, p.91]
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  12. PopMatters
    Mar 18, 2015
    60
    You will warm up to some songs considerable quicker than others, almost to the point where slower and quieter numbers are in danger of being overlooked.
  13. The Telegraph (UK)
    Mar 16, 2015
    60
    Fans will find much to enjoy here, but it might be time for Knopfler to push himself out of his comfort zone.
  14. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 16, 2015
    60
    Knopfler’s music remains a reliable source of warm bluesy guitarwork; the Dire Straits-aping riff of Beryl is a familiar pleasure.
  15. musicOMH.com
    Mar 12, 2015
    60
    Tracker may not quite reach the same heights as its predecessor--it features one too many misses for that to be the case--but it is another solid solo entry into his already impressive back catalogue and a record that Knopfler’s faithful following will undoubtedly delight in it.
  16. Record Collector
    Apr 3, 2015
    40
    There’s effortless and effortless, and this is an album that verges on the predictable.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 3 out of 11
  1. TomekDarda
    Mar 17, 2018
    9
    This very quickly became my favourite Knopfler record (including Dire Straits ones) - not that it is the most hit-filled or anything, butThis very quickly became my favourite Knopfler record (including Dire Straits ones) - not that it is the most hit-filled or anything, but somehow it hits that string of early life memories and melancholy. I also love the use of guest vocals and the bonus tracks are big!

    Top: Laughs and Jokes and Drinks and Smokes, Lights of Taormina, Beryl, Oklahoma Ponies    … Full Review »
  2. MichalR
    Apr 6, 2015
    7
    Record Collector got it best, I think, when they said "there’s effortless and effortless". I like it because it is Mark Knopfler, I don'tRecord Collector got it best, I think, when they said "there’s effortless and effortless". I like it because it is Mark Knopfler, I don't like it because it's just Mark Knoplfer. There is nothing wrong with the album but unfortunately, there is also nothing new or exciting about it. It's good, it's solid, it's Knoplfer. Sadly, on the other hand - it's just only just good, it's only just solid, it's only average Knoplfer. I know that Mark is no David Bowie when it comes to musical styles but I just so wish he would try something new and stretch himself just a little bit more.… Full Review »
  3. vtloner
    Apr 1, 2015
    3
    I love Mark Knopfler & his music. But this album, with a few exceptions, sounds like the same song to me. Like you picked up the needle &I love Mark Knopfler & his music. But this album, with a few exceptions, sounds like the same song to me. Like you picked up the needle & dropped it somewhere else. Back when CDs were $15, I'm still looking for that $15 song on this one.… Full Review »
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